Dubai: Success is rarely a straight line. Often, it begins in the cold, quiet hours of a weekend morning when the rest of the world is still asleep. For Ansh Mundra, a Dubai-based fitness coach and NYU Alum, success didn’t start with a crowd. It started with just two people and a radical idea: A running community for people who actually hate running.
This is the story of “I (dis)Like Fitness”—a movement that proved consistency is the only currency that matters in the world of transformation.
The “Zero to One” Struggle
Three months ago, Ansh Mundra stood at a starting line with only two participants. After a high-flying academic career at New York University and co-founding a successful startup in the U.S., Ansh returned home to Dubai to help founders build physiques that command respect.
But building a community from scratch is a different kind of challenge. There were weekends when the turnout was low, the Dubai winter mornings were uncharacteristically cold, and the temptation to stay in bed was overwhelming. Ansh admitted he thought about giving up. But instead, he chose to show up.
The Turning Point: Consistency Over Comfort
Every Saturday/Sunday, regardless of the weather or the numbers, Ansh was there. He mapped out the city’s most scenic routes, turning Dubai into a massive, open-air playground:
- The Lush Greens of Zabeel Park
- The Coastal Breeze of Kite Beach
- The Historic Charm of Al Seef & Mankhool
- The Futuristic Skyline of the Dubai Canal
Through his social media on Instagram @ansh.trains, he didn’t just post workouts; he provided knowledge. He shared the “why” behind the sweat, building a foundation of trust with his followers. People began to believe not just in the run, but in the man leading it.
The Results: 14 Weeks Later
Today, the “I (dis)Like Fitness” community looks vastly different from that first morning.
- The Milestone: At their 14th official run, over 100+ people joined the movement.
- The Validation: The community’s rapid growth caught the eye of global giants, leading to an official brand collaboration with Garmin AE.
What started as a small gathering has evolved into a powerhouse of motivation for ambitious founders and professionals who previously avoided cardio like the-plague.
Who is Ansh Mundra?
Ansh isn’t your typical fitness coach. An NYU Alum with a background in Economics and Data Science, he understands the high-pressure world of founders.
“I help ambitious founders build physiques that command respect, attract attention, and make selling easier.”
After growing a personal brand to 15K+ followers in 8 months and co-founding Roam (which reached 40K+ followers), Ansh moved back to Dubai to focus on his true passion: helping others achieve physical and mental freedom through fitness.
The Next Challenge: Road to the April 2026 Half Marathon
Ansh isn’t just coaching from the sidelines; he’s leading from the front. To prove that limits are meant to be pushed, Ansh has officially begun his training block for his first-ever Half Marathon, scheduled for the last week of April 2026.
Transitioning from the weight room to the endurance track, Ansh is documenting his journey of preparing his body for the grueling 21.1km distance. For a man who built a community for those who “dislike” fitness, this race represents the ultimate test of his own philosophy: showing up when it’s hard, staying consistent when you’re tired, and commanding respect through action.
Conclusion: The Lesson of the Long Run
Ansh Mundra’s journey with “I (dis)Like Fitness” is a reminder that the biggest barrier to success isn’t lack of talent—it’s the lack of persistence. By showing up when it was cold, when it was early, and when no one else was watching, he built something that 100+ people now rely on for their weekly dose of discipline.
Whether you love running or absolutely “dis-like” it, Ansh has proven that if you keep moving, the world eventually starts running with you.
Join the Movement
Are you a founder ready to build a physique that commands respect? Or are you a “running hater” looking for your community?
Follow Ansh Mundra’s journey and join the next “I (dis)Like Fitness” run.
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